The Chapel Bells

The bells of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit ring as an invitation to the People of God to join in prayer and mark important events in the life of our community. At their dedication, each bell was baptized and given a name. The voices of the bells remind us that we are one family, joining in times of joy and sorrow.

The 80-foot-high bell tower stands as a dramatic exclamation point near the Chapel’s front entrance doors. It holds four hand-crafted bronze bells that toll the hours and call the University community to prayer.

Created in the Netherlands especially for the new Chapel by the Royal Eijsbouts Foundry, the bells have distinctive sounds and each one proclaims a message important to the University community.

Esther, named for the biblical Jewish queen, is inscribed with the Shema, the constant prayer of the Jewish people: Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.

Augustine, named for Saint Augustine, reminds us of a line from The Confessions: Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee, O God.

Leo, named for the author of its quote, Pope Leo the Great, reminds us: Christian, know your dignity.

Thérèse, remembering the life and spirituality of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, proclaims the opening words of the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, reminding us of the intimate link between the Church and world: Gaudium et Spes, Joy and Hope.

In addition to tolling the hours, each day the bells ring at 8:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00 pm. These are the traditional times of the Angelus, a Christian devotion that calls to mind the Incarnation. In the Middle Ages, all work would stop as the bells rang out the Angelus as people stopped what they were doing to give thanks to God and remember God’s coming to earth as Jesus Christ.

Finally, the bells ring to gather our community for our liturgical life. Five minutes before we celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours at Morning and Evening Prayer and ten minutes before Mass, the bells ring in invitation to all the People of God. All are welcome!